Weather Forecast
- Sunny, clear, and cool, with some high cumulus clouds
- Temperature: 45.1°F to 67.3°F (7.3°C to 19.6°C)
- Wind: Light north wind (1-3 MPH | 2-5 KPH | 1-3 KN)
- Precipitation: None
"A true old friend is like a lighthouse, always guiding you back to the shore."
With his day’s work done, Valentine headed for the hotel. He stopped by Alafair’s room to let her know he was back and had news that he would share at dinner. They agreed to meet in the lobby in thirty minutes which would give Val time to clean up and change for dinner. Somehow, Alafair looked as pristine as she had that morning. Maybe that girls’ finishing school in Europe had taught her something after all. A little less than thirty minutes later, Val met his daughter in the lobby and took her arm to escort her to the Lickskillet Diner. They did not talk much during the walk to the restaurant. They had mutually agreed some time ago to save the day’s events for discussion over dinner.
Before long, they arrived at the diner and found seats. Out of habit, Val started to sit with his back to the wall and a full view of the door and the rest of the room. However, having guessed at part of his news due to how late it had been when he arrived at the hotel, Alafair waved him to a different seat and chose the one her father had been going to take. Knowing better than to question his daughter’s skills when it came to watching their backs, Val took the chair that Alafair indicated with a quick movement of her eyes. Once they had settled, Val raised an eyebrow, “Permission to speak, ma’am,” he asked with a grin.
“Permission granted, sir,” Alafair replied, her soft voice redolent of honeysuckle and Spanish moss.
“Town Marshal, Henry Guyer - I think he goes by Speed - hired me on today,” Val said. He flipped open his vest to show her the badge clipped to the inside. He had moved it to the more discreet location after signing off shift for the day.
“Congratulations!” Alafair exclaimed, “I guessed you’d had some luck in the job hunting department when you were late coming back to the hotel today. So, what’s next?”
“Find a place to live. That chore is going to fall to you. Marshal Guyer suggested we try the bank. They might have a current listing of what’s for sale in town and nearby. We don’t want to wind up too far out of the city limits,” Val replied while scanning the blackboard for the day’s menu offerings.
“Of course,” Alafair agreed, “I can take care of finding us a place… I had some luck finding some areas that should have plenty of local plants. I added some drawings to my book for those that I need to identify as soon as I can get my books sent here and unpacked.”
The conversation continued on this vein as they waited for the arrival of the waitress.
The conversation continued on this vein as they waited for the arrival of the waitress.
And that arrival soon came. Constance had been in the kitchen piling up some customer's dishes for washing but had heard the tinkle of the bell on the front door signaling new customers. She blew one of her loose strands of hair from her eyes then spun about and headed on back out. One thing about this job, one got their exercise alright.
A quick glance around and she spotted the newcomers. Well, not really newcomers. She'd waited on them once before, just the latest arrivals at the moment. She wished she could remember their names but with so many customers that was not possible sadly. The girl though had a most unusual name...oh yes, Alafair. Or close. She would keep it formal though.
"Good afternoon, sir, miss. Welcome," she flashed her best customer service smile.
"The menu is right up there for your perusal," she pointed to the big chalkboard on the side wall, the full selection chalked upon it in excellent penmanship. That was Mrs. Lutz handwriting, certainly not hers. No one could complain they couldn't read that at least.
"Oh, just in case you don't recall, I'm Constance. Can I start you off with anything or do you need time to decide?" she added.
"I remember you, Miss Constance," Val replied, "good to see you again."
Alafair nodded her agreement and smiled at the young woman. Both she and Val ordered the evening dinner special with coffee to drink. As they took care of ordering, Val glanced at the patrons he could see from where he sat while Alafair kept her eyes going between their waitress and the door. Likely, in this place and at this time, they were being far more cautious than the situation dictated.
Wayfarer
Travis Morgan strolled along the sidewalk at a leisurely pace as he headed for the diner. He had been eating his meals at the boarding house. He had decided on a change of pace and taking a meal outside of his lodgings for once this week. Travis gave a nod or smile to those he passed on the sidewalk. The citizens of Kalispell were not known by name to Morgan for the most part, but he had seen several of them around town for the last few weeks or working in their stores so the faces were familiar if not known to him.
Tonight, Morgan was wearing his basic town outfit. A dark frock coat over his guns. He was not a fan of making a display of his weapons and normally liked having them out of sight. He practiced with the coats he normally wore on so drawing was a natural action. Morgan paused at the hitching post and took a last pull from his cigar before rubbing it out on the wooden rail. Morgan looked around the street before giving himself a shake before walking into the diner. Morgan paused just inside the door and took a deep breath. He let his eyes roam around the room before he saw a familiar face he had not seen in several years. Morgan smiled as he waited for her to spot him as well.
Strormwolfe
Well, that was sort of embarrassing, he knew her name. Course then he didn't have to wait on dozens of folk every day. Her main job was to serve the customers their meals not memorize faces and names.
The father and daughter knew right what they wanted so she hastily scribbled it down on her pad, "Alright, sounds good. We'll get that right out soon as we can."
"Oh and of course, I'll get those coffees too," and with that she disappeared into the back room and emerged in a short bit with a tray, two steaming coffee cups, and choice of milk or sugar.
"There you go then," Constance smiled as she set the tray down in front of them.
Glancing at the daughter, she couldn't help but notice her garb.
"Excuse me but is that one of those latest dresses from back east? I think it looks lovely on you."
Back home in Cincinnati, she used to keep with all the fashions until Father kicked her out. Not that she missed him, not at all.
Alafair smiled at Constance, mentally adding her to the list of people she had met in Kalispell and liked immensely. So far, no one had treated her like a total stranger even though she was.
"Sadly, it's not the latest back East fashion, but was best for traveling. So much of my clothing and personal items are still in storage until we find a place here," Alafair told the other young woman, actually opening up a bit on her current circumstances. She was about to add more information for Constance when she noticed the door open and a man walk in.
For a full half-minute Alafair stared at him, unable to believe her eyes. Her father's seat was not conducive for him to see newcomers in the door. That did not stop Alafair from squealing and leaping to her feet to charge the stranger head-on, "Uncle Trav!" William Travis Morgan was not her uncle by blood, but by friendship with her father. He and his brother, Hunter, were men that Val trusted with his life and his daughter's life. That made them family...or had. Alafair kept her expression joyful as she launched herself toward Travis.
Alafair's happy squeal had alerted Valentin to the new arrival. He stood up as his daughter shot across the short distance from their table to the door. Val smiled and nodded at the newcomer. Just the man he was looking for although now the news he had to impart weighed heavily on him....
@[Longshot]
Wayfarer
Morgan's eyes brightened and he let out a laugh as the girl covered the distance in an eye blink. His arms spread to catch her in mid jump. Travis turned in a circle partly to absorb the force of her impact and continue the hug. He finally set her down and then held her out at arm's length.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were somebody else. That girl was about so high and had pigtails. You're obviously a young woman..."
Alafair was happy to chat about her dress, apparently it was not one of her best ones. Constance smile but did not say anything. Must be nice to have money. Well, she used to live in a family that did also. But that was a past that would not be coming back. Her life was in Kalispell now but at least she had her independence, something she never had under her father.
Then the girl spotted someone, a tall looking fellow who had just entered the premises. Before Constance could even greet the prospective customer and invite him to take a seat and she'd be with in a moment, Alafair rose and practically charged the man, throwing herself at him. Obviously they were acquainted.
Constance thought it better to fade back and let these folk have their privacy, she could check on the man later if he wanted any food.
ooc: Don't wait for me to take a turn, it's you guys now :)
Morgan's eyes brightened and he let out a laugh as the girl covered the distance in an eye blink. His arms spread to catch her in mid jump. Travis turned in a circle partly to absorb the force of her impact and continue the hug. He finally set her down and then held her out at arm's length.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were somebody else. That girl was about so high and had pigtails. You're obviously a young woman..."
Alafair made an effort to give the man a demure look and smile, but her sparkling eyes overshadowed any attempt at being a stately grown-up. “I never had pigtails,” she admonished in mock severity, “I had my hair in a French braid.” It was an old joke where she always corrected the pigtail accusation.
By now, Val had figured out what the commotion was and excused himself to Constance who was already taking a step back to give them some room and privacy. He smiled, grateful for the young waitress’ understanding. He rose and walked toward his old friend and Alafair, the smile finally reaching his blue-gray eyes. Val extended his hand, offering a firm shake and a short hug that managed to include Alafair as well. “Been lookin’ for you, stranger,” Valentin told him, a bit of somberness edging his voice. Finding Travis Morgan brought mixed emotions. “Join us for dinner? We’re celebrating my new job as a Kalispell Deputy Marshal.”